Maine School Administrative District 75 Superintendent Heidi O’Leary announced Monday that a former employee is under investigation by Portland police.
O’Leary gathered school district leaders at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham for a news conference Monday afternoon, but she provided little information about the investigation, including the name of the employee or any specifics about the allegations, other than to call them “deeply unsettling.” She said she could not answer a question about whether any students were harmed.
“We completely understand the concern, and folks may be questioning whether or not something happened to their child. What I need to make sure that you remember is that the police investigation is still ongoing, and there is much we don’t know yet,” she said. “The district has no reason to believe there is any current risk to student or staff safety.”
She said the school department was notified of the investigation into a former employee, who worked at both Mt. Ararat Middle and High schools, by the Portland Police Department on May 2. That person has not been charged or arrested, O’Leary said.
“Without question, the highest responsibility we have as a district is to protect our students and teachers while keeping families informed, confined to the law and respecting the right of due process. As the superintendent, this situation is deeply unsettling for the entire MSAD 75 community,” she said.
Mt. Ararat High School Principal Chris Hoffman said he is focusing on supporting staff and students.
Parents were notified about the investigation earlier Monday afternoon but were not given any further information.
Rumors of an investigation at the district have been circulating in the community for weeks. When reached on May 5, both O’Leary and school board Chairperson Amy Spelke said they were unable to comment.
Inquiries to the Topsham Police Department, Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office and Brunswick Police Department earlier this month all revealed the departments were not investigating a SAD 75 employee.
Maine State Police pointed a reporter to the Portland Police Department, where a spokesperson on May 6 said the department would not comment on an ongoing investigation, if one does exist. The department again on Monday said it could not comment on an ongoing investigation.

O’Leary said the district is complying with the investigation and has been communicating with Portland police.
School staff handed reporters a list of mental health resources as they entered the high school Monday, referring students and families to local providers. District social workers and school counselors are available for short-term support and referrals.
The school district, which serves Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Harpswell and Topsham, was recently caught up in a lengthy hazing investigation into its high school boys hockey team. O’Leary said Monday that the current investigation is not connected to the hockey team.
The investigation into the hockey team revealed a pattern of potential student misconduct that “intended to embarrass or humiliate the target” and violated district policies, a summary released in April said.
IF YOU NEED HELP
IF YOU or someone you know is in immediate danger, dial 911. The MSAD emotional support line can be reached at 207-798-3688 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
FOR ASSISTANCE during a mental health crisis, call or text 888-568-1112. To call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
FOR MORE SUPPORT, call the NAMI Maine Help Line at 800-464-5767 or email [email protected].
OTHER Maine resources for mental health, substance use disorder and other issues can be found by calling 211.
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